routine

1 of 2

noun

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
1
a
: a regular course of procedure
if resort to legal action becomes a campus routineJ. A. Perkins
b
: habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure
the routine of factory work
2
: a reiterated speech or formula
the old "After you" routineRay Russell
3
: a worked-out part (as of an entertainment or sports contest) that may be often repeated
a dance routine
especially : a theatrical number
4
: a sequence of computer instructions for performing a particular task

routine

2 of 2

adjective

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
ˈrü-ˌtēn
1
: of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary
routine problems
2
: of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure
routine business

Examples of routine in a Sentence

Noun Grandma gets upset if we change her routine. A brisk walk is part of her morning routine. The job will be easier once you settle into a routine. the boring routine of paperwork Adjective The surgery has become a very routine operation and poses little danger. He criticized her routine absence from important meetings. The more you do it, the more routine it becomes. They hire high-school students for routine work such as filing. Data entry becomes routine very quickly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Adell punched a fly ball into right field, making a routine out but driving in a run. Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 25 Apr. 2024 Working in the heart of Uptown, my everyday routine of parking in a busy deck, walking to my office via skywalks and staring out a 35th floor window continually amazed me. Philip Freeman, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for routine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'routine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, from route traveled way

First Known Use

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of routine was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near routine

Cite this Entry

“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/routine. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

routine

1 of 2 noun
rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
1
: a standard or regular way of doing something
2
: an often repeated speech or formula
3
: a part (as of an act or a sports performance) that is carefully worked out so it can be repeated often
a comedy routine
a dance routine
a gymnastic routine
4
: a set of computer instructions that will perform a certain job

routine

2 of 2 adjective
1
2
: done or happening in a usual or standard way
routinely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on routine

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